Strengthening NZ’s Emergency Response Systems
Staff Reporter
10 October 2024, 11:01 PM
In a bid to enhance New Zealand's resilience to natural disasters, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell unveiled a comprehensive plan today aimed at strengthening the country's emergency management systems. The vision, prompted by the recent North Island Severe Weather Events (NISWE) Inquiry, highlights the need for a more robust approach to handling emergencies. “It’s clear from the North Island Severe Weather Events Inquiry that our emergency management system was not fit-for-purpose,” Minister Mitchell stated. He cited recent events like Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods as catalysts for change, emphasizing the lasting impact such disasters have on communities. The Government’s newly outlined strategy, Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management, will guide enhancements to the emergency response framework over the next five years. The plan proposes a series of initiatives designed to ensure New Zealand can better withstand future emergencies. Key Areas of Focus The Government has identified five main areas for improvement: Whole-of-Society Approach: Recognizing that emergency management is a collective responsibility, the strategy emphasizes community involvement and collaboration across all sectors. Local Government Support: Local authorities will receive additional resources to standardize emergency preparedness and response measures across the country. Professionalization of the Workforce: The Government plans to invest in training and building a more skilled emergency management workforce. Enhanced System Coordination: Efforts will focus on streamlining communication and cooperation among emergency services and support agencies. Strategic Investment: A long-term focus on funding and strategic planning will ensure consistent implementation and improvement. Minister Mitchell acknowledged that many of these recommendations had been raised in previous reviews, underscoring the ongoing challenge of addressing long-standing issues. “While changes will take time, there are things we can all do now to strengthen our emergency management system,” he said, urging individuals to make personal emergency plans as a first step toward resilience. To further clarify the Government’s course of action, Minister Mitchell announced plans to introduce an Emergency Management Bill later this term, which will lay the legislative foundation for the changes. He is expected to release a public roadmap early next year, outlining how these initiatives will be rolled out. As the Government moves forward with these reforms, the Minister stressed that preparing for emergencies is a shared responsibility. “We all have a role to play to keep ourselves and our communities safe in an emergency,” he said. The NISWE Inquiry, which investigated the Government’s response to recent severe weather events, served as a primary reference for these updates. Findings from the inquiry revealed critical weaknesses in the existing system, prompting the call for sweeping changes. Minister Mitchell’s plan aims to create an emergency management framework that is adaptive and resilient in the face of evolving challenges.The New Zealand government has announced a comprehensive plan to improve the country's emergency management systems, focusing on bolstering resilience and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell shared the long-term vision, following insights from the recent North Island Severe Weather Events (NISWE) Inquiry.
“It’s clear from the North Island Severe Weather Events Inquiry that our emergency management system was not fit-for-purpose,” Minister Mitchell explained.
He referenced the profound impact of recent events like Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods, which underscored the need for systemic change.
The strategy, called Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management, outlines a five-year roadmap to enhance New Zealand’s disaster response capabilities.
The Government aims to build a more adaptive and capable system, prepared for future challenges.
Key Areas of Improvement
The Government’s approach will focus on five critical areas:
- Adopting a Whole-of-Society Approach: The strategy emphasises collaboration across sectors and communities, underscoring the shared responsibility of emergency management.
- Supporting Local Government: Local authorities will receive enhanced resources to ensure consistent emergency preparedness and response standards nationwide.
- Professionalizing the Workforce: To improve response capabilities, the plan includes measures to strengthen training and develop a more skilled emergency management workforce.
- Streamlining System Coordination: Efforts will be made to facilitate better communication and cooperation among all emergency services and support agencies.
- Strategic Investment and Implementation: The plan includes a long-term focus on sustainable funding and strategic planning to ensure reliable delivery of improvements.
Minister Mitchell acknowledged that while some findings from the NISWE Inquiry were not new, the urgency for change is growing.
“While changes will take time, there are things we can all do now to strengthen our emergency management system,” he remarked, encouraging New Zealanders to take proactive steps like creating personal emergency plans.
Looking ahead, the Government plans to introduce an Emergency Management Bill later this term, providing a legal framework for these enhancements.
Minister Mitchell also announced that a public-facing roadmap will be released early next year, detailing the implementation timeline for the proposed initiatives.
Mitchell emphasised that preparing for emergencies is a collective responsibility.
“We all have a role to play to keep ourselves and our communities safe in an emergency,” he stated, encouraging everyone to contribute to a more resilient future.
The NISWE Inquiry served as the foundation for these updates, highlighting areas where New Zealand’s emergency response system could be strengthened.
Minister Mitchell’s plan reflects a commitment to building a disaster management framework that can adapt to evolving challenges while protecting the well-being of all New Zealanders.
